HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii at Hilo is expanding its nursing program to help address a critical shortage of nurses across the state.
A new high school direct entry pathway allows qualified Hawaii high school graduates to reserve a seat in UH Hilo’s nursing program, eliminating the need to reapply during their sophomore year.
Students must complete prerequisite courses and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA each semester to keep their reserved seats.
The university is also increasing enrollment after receiving funding from the state Legislature for five additional faculty positions.
The program welcomed 40 new nursing students this year, up from 30, and plans to admit 50 next year. That’s a 67% increase over two years.
UH Hilo officials say the expansion is especially important for neighbor island communities, where nursing shortages are more severe.
“The more rural, the more need there is,” said Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, director of UH Hilo’s School of Nursing.
Among the first students in the direct-entry program is Hilo High School graduate Dylan Yanazaki, who hopes to stay on Hawaiʻi Island and care for local families.
“It would be great to be a part of that solution here,” Yanazaki said.
The four-year nursing pathway includes clinical training in rural communities, community health projects and hands-on practice in a simulated hospital environment.
For more information, visit UH Hilo’s nursing program website.
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